In our trilogy of verses of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, this is the last. And this is our last directive on how to be a joyful Christian. To be joyful, we need to be thankful...and just like we are to rejoice always, we are to thankful in everything. That's all inclusive, doesn't leave a day of our lives out. Doesn't give us the wiggle room to say, "I'm just not in a good mood", or, "Can't be thankful on a day like today"...Paul tells us, "Doesn't matter what's going on...give thanks anyway!"
For as Christians, we are to put today's less-than-perfect events in eternal perspective, and we are to remember that "God's will for us in Christ Jesus" is to be thankful. For Jesus has given us a gift that overrides any temporary problem --- He has given us restored relationship with God, by providing for our forgiveness, and through that restored relationship, with the forgiveness that comes with it, we are promised eternal life in the triune presence of God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
When we feel ourselves being pulled away from a spirit of thankfulness, we should stop and analyze where our thoughts are dwelling. Are we meditating on what God has already done for us, or are we focusing on the earthly things that we may feel we have missed out on enjoying? Bigger homes, fun vacations, cooler cars? Even when we are focusing on things that matter so much to us...family issues, friends' problems, tragedies that we don't understand...are we allowing God's Spirit to bring us His sense of peace and giving Him thanks for His presence knowing that He is already working on our behalf when we raise our voices to Him, or do we rather stubbornly hold on to our feelings of disappointment and hurt, refusing to trust God in a spirit of thankfulness?
I'm not saying it's easy --- when we go through hard times that we don't understand, it's hard to say, "Thanks!" But when we go through those times trusting God, then we can say, "Thank you Jesus for giving me this relationship of trust in a God who knows everything that is happening in my life, who hears my pleas, who knows my needs and who has shown me just how much He loves me...through You."
Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything.
See a pattern here...Spirit-enabled consistency! Result: J-O-Y!
For as Christians, we are to put today's less-than-perfect events in eternal perspective, and we are to remember that "God's will for us in Christ Jesus" is to be thankful. For Jesus has given us a gift that overrides any temporary problem --- He has given us restored relationship with God, by providing for our forgiveness, and through that restored relationship, with the forgiveness that comes with it, we are promised eternal life in the triune presence of God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
When we feel ourselves being pulled away from a spirit of thankfulness, we should stop and analyze where our thoughts are dwelling. Are we meditating on what God has already done for us, or are we focusing on the earthly things that we may feel we have missed out on enjoying? Bigger homes, fun vacations, cooler cars? Even when we are focusing on things that matter so much to us...family issues, friends' problems, tragedies that we don't understand...are we allowing God's Spirit to bring us His sense of peace and giving Him thanks for His presence knowing that He is already working on our behalf when we raise our voices to Him, or do we rather stubbornly hold on to our feelings of disappointment and hurt, refusing to trust God in a spirit of thankfulness?
I'm not saying it's easy --- when we go through hard times that we don't understand, it's hard to say, "Thanks!" But when we go through those times trusting God, then we can say, "Thank you Jesus for giving me this relationship of trust in a God who knows everything that is happening in my life, who hears my pleas, who knows my needs and who has shown me just how much He loves me...through You."
Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything.
See a pattern here...Spirit-enabled consistency! Result: J-O-Y!
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